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Whether it’s important PDFs, presentations that you made for ongoing clients, or important contracts that would be detrimental to ongoing relationships if ever lost — there’s a lot of data your business needs to protect. That’s why it’s simply common practice for modern companies to have a number of verified and reliable cloud storage solutions.

If your team is in need of some space, here’s a great deal worth checking out. For a limited time only, you can get a lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage for $119.97 (reg. $810) with code KOOFR. This single-payment deal features helpful access to a lot of space. A terabyte can hold roughly a quarter-million photos, 500 hours of HD video, and more than 6 million smaller file types like PDFs.

You can count on top-notch security when using Koofr because of advanced file encryption practices, the company says. They also have a zero-tracking policy, so you can rest assured that sensitive documents saved on Koofr will still remain private to your team or whoever you want to provide access to.

Koofr’s also great for companies because it’s compatible with other popular cloud accounts like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, so adding it to the mix should be easy.

For those who want a little more reassurance, just take a look at Koofr’s scores among the most reputable tech review sites out there, including a 4.6/5-star average on G2, Capterra, and GetApp.

Make sure to do your business a favor and secure this lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage for $119.97 (reg. $810) with code KOOFR.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Too often, founders cite their shortened runway as a reason for not fully implementing the best strategic spending for their startups. This is becoming too common, especially as markets continue on a soft landing trajectory and interest rates remain high. The dilemma is simple — founders do not want to overspend, view their runway as too short, and feel they cannot build traction with VCs, crowdfunding campaigns or other capital raises. Founders know they must spend to gain the required traction, but it’s a volatile risk with unclear returns. As countless founders face this current dilemma, what are the best decisions to make next?

Related: 10 Growth Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know

Stop looking at the perceived length of the runway — start looking at strategy

The perceived runway is only what is currently in the bank and a projection, at best, of what financials will look like in the next few quarters. It does not factor in future growth, breakthroughs in funding, and, yes, even disruptions or setbacks.

With so many founders in angst about their perceived short runway, a step back is in order. First, review the MVP (minimum viable product). In its essential elements, is it genuinely viable? Is your startup a copy of others, or is it truly unique? Are the solutions or products offered going to solve problems, disrupt an industry or substantially help in ways not currently offered in the marketplace? If you’re not confident, stop and compass-check with outside resources.

What does the correct compass check look like for your startup? Start with a brand evaluation with a reputable brand strategist or innovator with noted industry experience. Why? Your problems with a short runway may simply be key messaging, a revised funnel strategy, or better personas of realistic investors or a customer base.

What are the best options for utilizing the right strategy?

Any startup that seeks investors, venture capital, crowdfunding or customers develops some business plans and strategies. When the runway is too short for any funding campaign, the natural tendency is to halt all marketing spending, go lean and create a dilemma of can’t spend to earn but can’t earn without spending. This is a false premise, yet it is too familiar.

How does a founder fix this with strategy, and what right spends are necessary on a perceived limited runway? First, start with the most critical elements in your ramp-up strategy:

• Plan out paths to become the best known — not just the best — at what you do.
• Ensure the funnel strategy works and correctly captures incoming inquiries quickly and efficiently.
• Ensure the customer journey process builds on itself to turn customers into advocates for your brand.

First, become the best known. This does not necessarily mean becoming the best. While it does not mean putting out an inferior product or service, too many get stuck trying to improve, not continuously promote, or promote correctly. With this, look internally. As the founder and your team, are you doing everything to utilize key messaging strategy? Does that strategy resonate with the right audience? This is so critical and so often missed. Too many spend too much and get this wrong or are too close to current messaging to see blinders.

Start here to fix the perceived short runway. If the key messaging will not reach the right audience, stop everything else, including current spending, and fix it immediately. Get outside help from the right strategist who can give expert and objective counsel to course-correct key messaging. Following this, use it to your advantage and lead with it. A better call-to-action strategy beats a new product almost every time.

Second, ensure the funnel strategy works. When you launch your new product or service as part of your startup, demonstrate to investors, VCs or your crowdfunding campaign how well the funnel works. If key messaging is right, but funnel strategy is what is causing angst with the perceived short runway, pause and evaluate. It is not enough to drive interest through messaging alone; the funnel must be as close to airtight as possible.

If a funnel strategy is already in place and key messaging is working, continuously analyze results. For product or service sales, implement surveys, get feedback, and respond to and act on reviews. Identify the rate of and reasons for customer churn and continuously improve. Ask customers for product or service feature requests and use this data to gauge and optimize feature affinity. Additionally, ensure that any changes to public-facing marketing assets, especially websites, social media, PR and email, align with the funnel strategy and do not pull your brand off course.

Third, ensure the customer journey process finds ways to build on itself, and finds ways to propel new and existing customers into advocates for your brand. This starts by making an almost seamless journey for customers coming through the funnel. From the basics of making the journey, value proposition, and process simplistic and straightforward, any brand needs to advocate for their customers before a customer advocates for the brand. It only takes one bad experience, or perceived lousy experience with no response, to push a customer and parts of an audience away.

Related: 5 Ways to Create Sustainable Funding and Get Your Business Out of the Hole

You took a risk with your startup; why give up on that risk now?

If the strategy is sound, trust it. Build on strategy. A perceived short runway partly represents disbelief in the strategy, execution, team, or product or service offered. With the proper steps of ensuring key messaging is correct and action-provoking, a funnel strategy that captures the right audience and moves that audience into decision-making, and the most straightforward customer journey, wins will build on themselves.

Unless you’ve been living under that proverbial rock, you’ve heard of ChatGPT and its creator, OpenAI. Part of the generative AI explosion, ChatGPT is revolutionizing entire industries, including branding and brand positioning. But it’s not without its drawbacks.

Some of the milder criticisms include creating generic content, not supporting brand voice or tone and failing to connect with audiences. Those are pretty dramatic disadvantages for a technology that’s supposed to be such a game changer, and they’re stumbling blocks you’ve probably encountered in your own use of AI.

There’s good news. A custom GPT lets you take AI to the next level. You can say goodbye to generic, boring copy and hello to brand-aligned, customized content that engages from the start.

Related: 5 Ways ChatGPT Can Help Your Business

What is a Custom GPT?

A custom GPT is the next step in AI evolution, at least for individuals and organizations looking to build their brand and enhance brand awareness with their audience. It’s a free option available for anyone who subscribes to ChatGPT Plus and essentially allows you to create a customized AI that knows everything about you and your business.

Rather than using conventional training materials, the OpenAI team uses your branding information to train the AI. The result? A customized version of ChatGPT that’s unique to your brand.

Related: How Generative AI Will Revolutionize The Future of Your Brand

The proof is in real-world experience

In the ever-evolving entrepreneurship landscape, I recently had the privilege of incorporating a custom ChatGPT into my toolkit. Created by a skilled team, this AI marvel was trained with insights from my articles and branding advice and attuned to my unique tone of voice. I was thrilled to discover that it could perfectly emulate my style (professional yet approachable and friendly) and provide branding advice that I would have given myself.

Why would I want to let AI replace me? Am I planning for my own obsolescence? Not in the least.

The goal here is to create an ally in sharing my expertise — an AI-powered alter ego capable of responding to questions, comments, and requests in the same way I would. It’s also an important tool for providing potential new clients with a preview of what working with me is like.

How did the experiment pan out? What benefits did I achieve, and how might you apply them to your own needs? Here’s a quick rundown of my experience.

Improved brand consistency

A custom GPT’s primary advantage is its ability to ensure brand consistency across different touchpoints. Whether people seek advice, ask questions or want to engage in another way, a custom GPT mirrors your brand’s unique voice and identity. These are not generic robots; they’re tailored allies designed to respond in the same tone of voice and style, aligning seamlessly with your brand. This not only strengthens your brand image but also cultivates a deeper connection with your audience.

Effortless communication

With my custom GPT taking care of everyday questions, I’ve gained valuable time to focus on the core aspects of my business. That’s something any business owner can appreciate. It has also become instrumental in smoothing out communication and enhancing overall efficiency.

When it comes to client relationships, the custom ChatGPT handles routine inquiries, allowing me to concentrate on building stronger connections. It’s not just about answering questions; it’s about providing a personal touch that goes beyond the basics, ensuring clients feel genuinely attended to.

Instant expertise at scale

Scaling my entrepreneurial efforts became seamless as my custom ChatGPT effortlessly shares branding advice derived from and consistent with my body of work across platforms. Whether interacting with one client or a hundred, the AI manages to deliver advice and guidance consistent with my goals in terms of professionalism and expertise. That’s good news for business owners, entrepreneurs and others trying to scale their brands without burning out.

Dynamic adaptability to trends

The world is evolving faster than ever. It feels impossible to keep up with trends and shifting market dynamics. However, my custom GPT can be retrained with new data and instructions so I can keep ahead of the curve. That’s an important benefit for anyone hoping to stay relevant today.

Related: How ChatGPT Will Dramatically Change the Influencer Space

Time-saving creative sparks

ChatGPT doesn’t just answer questions; it sparks creativity. Whether you’re stuck on a branding concept or seeking inspiration to name your new business venture, the AI’s unique insights and suggestions serve as a springboard for creative endeavors, accelerating the ideation process. This can be an important advantage when it comes to creating marketing collateral, content for your audience and even writing a business plan to get your idea off the ground.

The team you’ve been missing

Entrepreneurs and solopreneurs often try to do it all. Chances are good that you handle your own marketing, market research, customer support, email correspondence, and more. That leaves little time to focus on other aspects, like spending time with family and friends. A custom GPT can become the team you’ve been missing and handle those tasks for you in many cases, saving you time, cutting costs and protecting your sanity.

In essence, a custom GPT acts as a force multiplier. It allows you to do more, from engaging with your audience to building a stronger brand without burning out. From streamlining communication to answering questions and providing guidance to interacting with leads at different touchpoints within your funnel, a custom GPT could be just what you need to jumpstart your success.

Related: What Does ChatGPT Mean for the Future of Business?

A global solution for leaders in the spotlight

For prominent figures like business leaders and public figures, managing a constant influx of inquiries can be overwhelming. A prime example is MarcGPT, tailored for Marc Randolph, the co-founder and first CEO of Netflix. Drawing from his wealth of experience, this custom GPT delivers inspiring and actionable advice for entrepreneurs, showcasing its potency as a valuable tool for leaders. It extends mentorship and offers insights on a global scale, reaching a diverse audience without the limitations of time zones or physical presence. Since it incorporates information from various sources, including a copy of his book, interviews, podcast episodes and other writings, it becomes a versatile asset for sharing expertise on various topics.

Embracing the AI revolution with caution

While the benefits of custom GPTs are evident, it’s essential to approach AI integration cautiously. Human-to-human interaction is always the preferred option. And while AI continues to evolve, it should be seen as an ally working alongside you, not a replacement for you. Maintaining the human touch within your business remains vital.

My recommendation? Use a custom GPT to help you carve out more time to do what you do best and to provide much-needed human interaction at key touchpoints. Let your AI handle mundane but important tasks that would not be a wise use of your own time and expertise.

Ultimately, a custom GPT can provide critical automation, reduce costs, improve efficiency, save you time, improve your customer or client experience and increase the accuracy of interactions. Creating one tailored to your business is the first step toward building a stronger, more resilient brand and achieving a better balance in your own professional life.

Innovation starts with identifying the outcomes customers want to achieve — which is why most companies rely on modern tools and technologies to acquire vast amounts of customer information for creating personalized customer experiences.

You need your customers to share their details, including preferences, to ensure you create a seamless, engaging and personalized customer journey. However, this need is at odds with the growing concerns surrounding customer privacy. Now, more than ever, customers are growing increasingly protective of their personal data.

According to a survey conducted by Gartner, consumers are less comfortable with brands collecting other types of data, including browsing history. Only 27% of respondents feel comfortable sharing information pertaining to their employment, financial data and personal health.

Users know the risks associated with their personal information fueled by various privacy breaches, data thefts and increasing regulatory scrutiny. Hence, businesses striving to innovate and meet customer demands must navigate the complexities of privacy protection since customers trust brands that value their privacy security.

On the other hand, the stringent privacy regulations, including the GDPR and CCPA, are even more concerning. These regulations demand businesses to collect, store, and manage customer data securely. Failing to adhere may entitle the business to pay hefty fines and even reputational damages.

In a nutshell, if a business wishes to jump on the innovation bandwagon, it can’t ignore the inherent privacy risks, especially when collecting vast amounts of customer data. Let’s unpack why businesses must be more vigilant about customer data security and privacy when innovating and learn how to navigate this complex landscape.

Related: Why Your Company Needs to Rethink Its Purpose to Acquire Loyal Customers — And Drive More Sales.

Why you need to innovate with privacy on top of mind

Delivering seamless user experiences is vital, but ignoring privacy security wouldn’t please your users. Stats reveal that users worldwide are more concerned about their privacy than ever and wish to do more to protect it.

On the other hand, when we see things from an organization’s perspective, they have a typical mindset of invoking technology’s true potential to innovate for improving user experiences. However, ignoring privacy and security could be the worst strategy in today’s business landscape, especially when your customers know the importance of their privacy.

No matter how unreasonable it may seem to prioritize privacy in today’s world, where data-driven decisions dominate, embracing privacy protection can eventually open up new avenues for growth and innovation.

Users are more likely to engage with digital platforms and applications when they trust that their privacy is respected and their personal data is secure. They love to share personal information, along with their preferences and participate in innovative initiatives.

Consequently, a deeper understanding of user preferences and needs helps businesses develop effective and targeted innovations.

Why ignoring privacy regulations will spell trouble for your business

The relationship between innovation and privacy is quite evident. As organizations navigate their technological advancement journey, privacy regulations guide them toward a sustainable future where innovation does not affect or compromise users’ fundamental rights.

Whether it’s CCPA or GDPR, every regulation guards privacy rights and protects organizations from legal obligations. Furthermore, organizations that cater to customers across the globe shouldn’t ignore the importance of adhering to various data privacy regulations, as failing to do so may entitle them to pay hefty fines.

What’s worrisome is that if your organization’s reputation is tarnished for not adhering to global privacy compliances, your potential customers won’t trust you and will inch toward your competitors with all the necessary compliances in place.

And regarding innovation, you can freely collect essential information about users, and they won’t mind if you adhere to the latest data privacy and security regulations.

Strategies for privacy-driven innovation

1. Prioritizing a privacy-first mindset

Organizations that don’t prioritize privacy at every stage of their product development and innovation initiatives will not be able to win customer trust.

Hence, it’s essential to lay the foundation of your product by equally emphasizing privacy along with other aspects, including user experience, usability, compliance and marketing. Collaborating development, security, user experience and marketing teams to emphasize privacy security is perhaps the need of the hour for every business striving for success.

2. Prioritize transparency tactics — communicate clearly, win trust

If you establish clear communication with your customers regarding data collection, usage and protection, you can quickly win customer trust and loyalty. Most customers are reluctant to share their personal information just because they aren’t sure why an organization is demanding it in the first place.

Once they’re comfortable sharing essential information, you can use this data to drive meaningful innovation, such as offering personalized recommendations, suggesting products/services based on their preferences, and more.

3. Tap the potential of technology

Embracing cutting-edge privacy-enhancing tools and technologies can help you navigate your innovation journey seamlessly. Using robust privacy management tools, identity management platforms and multi-factor authentication can eventually help build lasting customer trust and loyalty.

Furthermore, using cloud platforms to scale rapidly would further enhance user experience without compromising security.

4. Optimize data collection

A data-minimization approach in which organizations collect only essential data and maximize its value helps deliver impactful results. Admit it: No innovation is possible without knowing what your customers want and their pain points. Effectively analyzing essential data can help boost targeted innovation efforts, ensuring impactful outcomes.

5. Skyrocket innovation with powerful partnerships

Last but not least, collaborating with privacy experts, regulatory bodies, and industry peers to exchange knowledge and best practices can accelerate your innovation efforts. Businesses can embark on an innovation journey flawlessly through collective support and expertise.

Related: This Unique Marketing Strategy Is Winning in 2024 — Here’s Why (and How You Can Implement It Successfully)

Navigating the nexus of innovation and privacy

While navigating the innovation landscape, organizations shouldn’t overlook the undeniable nexus between innovation and privacy. Hence, ignoring privacy while pursuing innovation could hamper customer trust and lead to legal obligations.

Emphasizing a privacy-first mindset, coupled with transparent communication and technological advancement, are undoubtedly pivotal strategies for unlocking the true potential of innovation while safeguarding customer privacy.

Email marketing is booming: last year, 52% of marketers said their campaign’s return on investment (ROI) doubled, while 5.7% of marketers experienced an ROI four times larger compared to 2022, a Statista report shows.

How can you create similar results for your business this year?

The effectiveness of email marketing comes down to a few key factors:

• Knowing your audience and its pain points and desires.
• Creating emails that respond to those specific needs.
• Getting your emails in the inbox, where your subscribers can interact with them.

As the CEO of a B2B email marketing company, I often hear from customers about their top challenges. A big one? Creating emails that really engage and drive results. Getting the content, length and audience targeting just right is tough.

Related: How to Get People to Open – And Read – Your Emails

Most of your prospects prefer shorter emails

If you’re struggling to make your emails more engaging, here’s an aspect you may be overlooking: just make them shorter. Recent data from a ZeroBounce report shows that 66% of consumers prefer short emails, and only 6% favor longer ones.

But keep this caveat in mind: For 28% of people, email length becomes irrelevant if the content is well-tailored to their needs and interests.

It’s no surprise that people prefer shorter marketing emails. When inboxes are clogged with messages, why would you opt for a long message instead of a quick note? Concise and direct emails respect your prospects’ time and have a higher chance of getting their attention. But while most people prefer brevity, the quality and relevance of your emails are what truly capture and retain interest.

The message is clear for the 28% who don’t mind the length: When an email resonates well with their needs or interests, they’re willing to invest more time, regardless of word count. This segment of your audience is receptive to more in-depth content that speaks directly to their challenges.

How to determine the right email length

So, how do you strike the right balance between brevity and substance? The key is to start with understanding your audience. Segment your email list based on behaviors, preferences and past interactions. This segmentation allows you to tailor your messages more precisely. Also, you probably send different types of emails. That aspect alone should guide your approach:

• Newsletters can be longer and cover several pieces of information in more depth.
• Drip campaigns can consist of a series of emails that gently push your prospects closer to a purchase. Those emails can be short — sometimes, a few lines followed by a call-to-action (CTA) is enough.
• Targeted campaigns, such as a discount or free offer, can have an engaging image paired with a couple of sentences and a catchy CTA button.

If you’re still unsure whether your email is too long, here are a few tips to save you time and make things easier.

Start with a clear goal

Every email should have a clear purpose. Whether it’s to inform, increase engagement or drive sales, your goal will dictate the necessary length. Don’t add fluff just to extend an email; keep it as long as necessary to fulfill its purpose.

Choose simplicity and clarity

Use simple language and clear CTAs. Marketing emails rarely benefit from any metaphors. Your email should guide readers smoothly from the opening line to the desired action without unnecessary detours.

Personalize to the last detail

Use what you know about your customers to tailor your emails. When marketing emails feel personal, people care more about the message and less about the length.

Test and adjust to what your audience likes

Studies can point you in the right direction in terms of consumer preferences, but only you can determine what your audience responds to the most. Before sending your next email, consider A/B testing different lengths. Then, analyze your metrics to see what performed best.

Improve your layout

Sometimes, the way information is presented can affect how we perceive the length of an email. Breaking text with relevant images or using bullet points can make longer emails appear more digestible and engaging.

Related: 4 Things You Can Automate in Your Email Marketing That Will Save You Time and Drive Sales

Ask your subscribers

Asking for opinions shows you care about serving your audience better, so why not include a poll in your next newsletter? Allow your subscribers to tell you how long they’d like your emails to be. Nothing beats direct customer feedback in helping you create more effective campaigns.

Bonus tips to increase email engagement

Here are a few extra tips to help your next emails get more clicks:

• Try to keep your subject lines between 30 and 50 characters. Not only will your subscribers process them faster, but keeping your subject lines short ensures they display well on all devices.
• Check your email list health to avoid bounces and the likelihood of landing in the spam folder.
• Assess your spam complaint rate – it should be under 0.1% to comply with Yahoo and Google’s new email-sending rules.

Also, remember your goal is to connect with your audience genuinely, no matter how many words it takes to get there. If your email ends up longer than you’d planned but addresses a topic many of your subscribers care about, don’t worry. Engaging content can often justify a longer read.

Following bombshell allegations earlier this year, a new report by the Transportation Ministry of Japan found that Toyota falsified data to certify select vehicles. The news caused the carmaker’s stock valuation to plummet by $15 billion in one week.

Toyota dipped an estimated 5.3% following the June 3 report, resulting in a loss of 2.45 trillion Japanese yen, equivalent to just over $15 billion.

Related: Toyota Airbag Recall 2023: See Which Models Are Affected

The inspection and subsequent report led Toyota to immediately halt shipments of three vehicles (Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross). Four other models have been discontinued since the data was found to be incorrect.

The falsified tests were reportedly conducted in 2014, 2015, and 2020.

“As the person in charge of the Toyota Group, I would like to sincerely [apologize] to our customers, to car fans, and all stakeholders for this,” said Akio Toyoda, Toyota chairman and grandson of the company’s founder, at a press conference last week.

Related: Who Is Shoichiro Toyoda? The First Heir to the Toyota Empire and Father of Current CEO Akio Toyoda Has Died

Still, the carmaker’s market cap is around $280 billion.

The scandal began in January 2024 after Japanese officials raided a Toyota factory following an admission from Toyota executives that the company had falsified the results of certain engine testing.

Meanwhile, the company reported a strong FY 2024 (which began in April 2023 and ended in March 2024) with a sales revenue of 45,095.3 billion yen, a 21.4% increase from FY 2023.

The results of the investigation are expected to harm the company’s future earnings. Toyota is expected to report Q1 FY 2025 in August.

Father’s Day is a great time to show Dad you really know him. And for project-oriented fathers who are always trying to check off boxes and be their most productive selves, you could win the day with Microsoft Project 2021 Professional. This leading project management tool is on sale through June 10 as part of our Father’s Day Sale.

Microsoft Project has earned 4.4/5 stars on GetApp and Capterra. TechRadar writes, “Microsoft Project remains an excellent project management tool for experienced professionals. Its ability to forecast project costs and assign resources based on intricate details means it can simply go further than and do more than the alternative project solutions.”

This powerful tool is surprisingly intuitive to use, giving you a range of pre-built templates for all kinds of projects. You can seamlessly manage projects with the right timelines, budgets, and resources for your specific needs. Scheduling and organizing multiple timelines is a breeze, while built-in reports help you identify bottlenecks, iron out inefficiencies, and make more informed decisions on each individual task. You can even run what-if scenarios to explore the potential outcomes of different decisions.

You can sync with Project Online and Project Server to keep everything organized from start to finish. Plus, Microsoft Project supports the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and is compatible with Office LTSC and Office 2021 for even more streamlined management.

This offer is made possible by an authorized Microsoft Partner, so you know you’re getting a legit deal.

Now through 11:59 p.m. PT on June 10, you can get Microsoft Project 2021 Professional for just $19.97 (reg. $249) for Father’s Day.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

PDFs are frequently the document type of choice in business. It makes sense. They don’t take up too much disk space, they send quickly, and they’re stable files that aren’t easy to change. However, when you need to make changes, they can be a real pain. That’s why you need a tool like PDF Expert, and right now, you can get a lifetime Premium Plan for $60 off.

PDF Expert is one of the most highly-regarded PDF solutions on the market, with more than 30 million users who have propelled it to a 4.6/5-star App Store rating and helped it earn an Apple Editors’ Choice Award. It was even runner-up for App of the Year. PDF Expert has earned 4.6/5 stars on TechRadar and 4.5/5 stars on PCWorld, too.

Those accolades are because PDF Expert packs all of the tools you need into a seamless, all-in-one PDF editor that’s easy to navigate and use. Whether you need to edit text or insert images, annotate passages or comment about changes, convert to and from PDF and other file types, or organize PDFs, PDF Expert has you covered.

With PDF Expert downloaded you can easily fill out PDF forms just by clicking on them, sign legal documents virtually in just a few clicks, and even redact PDFs to protect sensitive information. PDF Expert also supports OCR so you can search documents for text to make more specific changes.

Get the last PDF tool you’ll ever need at a discount.

For a limited time, you can get a lifetime subscription to a PDF Expert Premium Plan for 42% off $139 at just $79.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Curious how AI can save you $100,000 and dramatically increase your leads? In this weeks video, I walk you through 7 critical questions from our unique quiz that uncovers the AI secrets every entrepreneur must know! Plus, breaking news from OpenAI that could profoundly alter the landscape of content management and search engine optimization.

Take the AI skills quiz here (available for a limited time) and equip yourself with practical knowledge by grabbing a copy of my new book, ‘The Wolf is at the Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.’

According to Fitch Ratings’ Global Economic Outlook report for 2024, a steep 2.1% dip in world growth is expected this year. CEOs and other executives must find firm footing atop shaky terrain. Bold leadership and robust fundamentals to sustain scaling are a must in these times.

As best-selling author Marshall Goldsmith says, “What got you here won’t get you there.” The challenges of the current landscape call for new approaches and solutions to protect your company and even spearhead growth in 2024. I’ve advised the strategies for CEOs of publicly traded companies, family offices and everything in between. My finger is firmly on the pulse of what top leaders do to remain effective in uncertain times.

Maintain a continually growing, recession-proof enterprise by following the seven strategies I’ve detailed below:

1. Budget for the worst-case scenario

Global growth declining means potential ceilings will lower, and basements will steepen. Weighing these realities is crucial when you’re budgeting and spending. Increase your optionality and runway by keeping your business flush with cash. Dave Ramsey says to set aside at least six to twelve months’ worth in emergency savings — do this for your business.

This approach provides wiggle room during slow-moving seasons, offering freedom to work toward solutions, innovate or pivot as needed and ensure your company remains intact and healthy. For example, one CEO explained that revenue slowed down this year, and they faced the prospect of letting three of their best staff go. But with a one-year savings fund set aside, for example, you may have the runway to keep on your best staff and weather the slowdown.

Related: You Won’t Have a Strong Budget Until You Follow These 5 Tips

2. Establish your expertise and differentiate your high-value offerings

Has quality lead flow evaded your business? Are you frequently lowering prices to attract clients? If so, consider the points below. These days, in a world in flux, your target market consists of B2B and B2C clients seeking trustworthy industry leaders and problem solvers. Brand equity is, therefore, vital. Infuse your business with it through the following methods:

• Position your brand as an authority and influential force in your sector.
• Invest in improved positioning to enhance and harness your brand’s marketplace perception. Align with other reputable, well-positioned companies that can help bolster your standing.
• Procure client testimonials and accumulate positive reviews. Place those front and center in the primate real estate across your website and social media profiles.

Do everything possible to establish your expertise and differentiate your high-value offerings. An influx of clients will follow.

3. Cultivate thriving relationships

Build foundational pillars by cultivating relationships and opening yourself and your business to collaboration, mentorship referrals and resource sharing. Doing so establishes goodwill and healthy alliances, providing a layer of security for your company.

Professional and personal partnerships come in two forms:

1. Partners who share your values.
2. Partners with complementary skill sets.

Making these connections can mean entering new spaces, stepping out of your comfort zone or even building communities from scratch. Offering value is a foolproof catalyst in these instances.

Analyze what you could do to solve a problem for a desirable partnership candidate. Execute your solution and make an offer. Present this individual with a game-changing partnership opportunity or an exciting idea. For example, if I notice a high-level CEO has written a book and speaks widely but may like to speak on the TEDx stage, I can introduce myself and present the opportunity at the outset, offering value by having done research in advance.

When you’ve created a connection, always have this partner’s back when needed. Be intentional about communicating the parameters you expect in a reciprocal partnership so everyone is on the same page.

4. Keep your reputation intact

A sterling reputation is a leg up over almost any competitor in your industry. Don’t allow a measly misstep or sloppy shortcut to derail all you’ve worked for. Thanks to social media, when brands mess up, they’re more visible than ever, shrinking bottom lines at a time when companies can’t afford the hit. Get ahead of potential snafus. Vet your sources, vendors and clients rigorously, establishing processes and sequences to ensure you work with high-integrity peers, partners, and colleagues.

Moreover, be conscious and intentional about your image on social media. Scrutinize every post and ask if it will help or hinder your reputation. If they don’t pass the gut check, trust your intuition and move on.

5. Align with top talent

You and your company can only afford to align and work with the highest-performing staff, talent and partners. Many people overpromise and under-deliver. They’ll sap you of resources while you lose precious time. Establish parameters before entering business partnerships to ensure a value match and optimal time usage. Doing so prevents you from damaging your reputation because you tried squeezing juice from a spoiled turnip.

For example, I take extra time on a call to ask specific questions about the parameters of the project and what a successful outcome looks like for everyone. At the end of the call, I ask what the deadline is to receive informational materials and schedule a call to discuss the next steps. If they cancel the next call or miss their deadline on the small items, I make a mental note and prioritize them less in the future. Protect your sphere of influence — people must prove themselves before working their way in.

6. Remain calm, cool and collected

Soft skills like emotional intelligence (EQ) and empathy grow in importance as AI and automation run rampant in workplaces. Still, emotions can’t be allowed to impede your professional survival. For instance, external factors aren’t about emotions. Therefore, your reaction to them can’t be emotional. Shaky geopolitics and unforgiving economic factors can derail your progress, but they shouldn’t ruin you. It’s up to you to assess, analyze, pivot and improve your skills accordingly.

Fulfill promises. Remain resilient. Prove yourself an unflappable anchor. People flock to leaders in precarious times, and if you can prove yourself as such, you’ll establish a foothold in your ecosystem when things stabilize.

Related: How to Advance Your Career Through Upskilling and Reskilling in Your Current Role

7. Evolve your skillset

AI has sent technological advances on a rapidly moving path, altering the landscape of many industries as the global economy threatens to recede.

Stay ahead of the curve by upskilling and familiarizing yourself with the tools of today and tomorrow by taking these paths:

• Earn new certifications in complementary business verticals.
• Gain a working knowledge of AI or coding.
• Learn the nuances of deal structuring and negotiation.
• Invest in cutting-edge technique training for your team.

With these seven strategies, you’re positioned for sustained success in 2024 and beyond.